Sarah Al-Amoudi

Saudi Arabian lawyer who challenged the kingdom's driving ban and inspired women's rights reforms

Sarah Al-Amoudi is a Saudi legal pioneer whose 2013 act of driving became a catalyst for national reform. As a human rights lawyer, she deliberately violated the kingdom's driving prohibition to challenge its legality under Islamic law. Her arrest and subsequent legal battle drew global attention, creating pressure that led to the 2018 driving ban repeal.

Al-Amoudi's work extends beyond this landmark victory. She founded the 'Women's Rights Initiative' (Website), which successfully lobbied to end male guardianship laws restricting women's travel and employment. Her 2020 legal case against discriminatory inheritance laws (Case details) is currently reshaping family law.

She has also developed legal training programs for women entering public sector roles, directly impacting over 5,000 professionals. Her memoir 'Behind the Headscarf: A Saudi Woman's Legal Struggle' provides firsthand insights into her advocacy. Al-Amoudi's transnational legal collaborations with organizations like the Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR) continue to advance regional reforms.